“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Paul wrote Colossians from prison. I’m not in prison. I can go outside for a walk or a run and to the grocery store when need be, but I am absent in body from all of you.
Normally on Wednesdays at 12 noon and 7pm a few dozen of us would gather for Lenten services, but not today. Today we are absent in body from each other.
But we are not absent in spirit. Despite these challenging circumstances, it has been great to hear some of your stories of grace. To hear about a neighbor who gave one of our parishioners a massive amount of toilet paper out of sheer kindness. To hear of our preschool teachers connecting with their students via technology even though they can’t be together in person right now.
I’m not absent in spirit either. You are all in my prayers. And I will continue to work diligently to care for you by writing, recording videos, and doing whatever else needs to be done while I must be absent in body.
God’s blessings. Keep the faith.
Pastor Andy